Saturday, September 18, 2010

You know, if you just let an idea knock around in your head a bit, often a good idea will shake loose. Somebody kindly reminded me that I've been looking for a Sparky-friendly filling for Onigiri - Japanese rice balls(or, as Sparky incorrectly calls it "Triangle Sushi.") Onigiri differs from sushi in that the rice is not flavored with seasoned vinegar, only salt and a filling - one of the more famous versions is Hawaiian Spam Musubi.

Now, traditionally, Onigiri is wrapped in Nori, which is laver seaweed that has been pressed and dried into sheets; I'm certain all but the most sophisticated food deserts don't carry. However, the grilled version, Yaki Onigiri, typically is just brushed with soy sauce and doesn't have the typical Nori handle or wrap. While their nori-wrapped cousins may be filled with any salty substance: tuna or salmon salad is common, or Japanese pickled plums, the grilled ones are often unfilled, but as filling is not unheard of, I bring you...

Coarsley chop the beef nuggets into large dice. Place in saucepan and add twice their depth in water; bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer, simmer for 1/2 hour or until nuggets are tender. Drain, and allow to dry a bit.

Heat up rice in a microwave or steamer (rice must be piping hot for this to work-one bento blog talks lovingly about how Japanese mothers hands are red and chapped from forming onigiri with rice straight from the cooker) Form your plastic baggie into a cone and put the point of the cone into a teacup or coffee mug; fill the point with rice.

Make a hole in the center of your rice with a spoon, drop in a beef nugget or two. Cover with rice.

Twist the top of the bag, using it to help you form the rice into a tightly packed triangle with flat sides and curved angles (the unwrapped one in the second photo fell apart after cooking; if you have "holes" re-pack it in the plastic bag and press harder)

Coat your rice ball with sesame seeds and season with salt.

Preheat a bit of oil in your nonstick skillet, and fry your rice ball, carefully turning after about 2 minutes (or when the rice and sesame smell fragrant) Using a basting brush, lightly coat the top with soy sauce.